Ben
TS Founding Member
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- Your Dad
So we know the plans for the Log Cabins / Hobbit Holes failed, an extension to Alton Towers Hotel has lapsed. So what are Alton looking to do with another accommodation option?
We know it will never be 'budget' - it would kill off all the local B&Bs, and other options local to the area so would never get planning permission. Also Alton Towers (and Merlin) love the idea of being a premium product, so we know we can always expect something a little different and highly expensive.
It had been rumoured that if the lodges had been built (and all of ATH refurbished ala the moon rooms) that ATH would become the highest priced hotel with the best rooms and theming, the lodges would be middle with their unique rooms and that Splash Landings would become the cheaper option.
Sadly when the lodge plans hit a halt nothing else happened at ATH either.
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Big concerns were drawn on the dining / bar area at the lodge plans. It sometimes difficult already to find somewhere to eat as a hotel guest. (Note: Sir Algenons Pizza place in summer holidays for the past 2 summers).
So any further hotel MUST have a large dining area and hopefully bar / entertainment area to keep the additional guests fed, watered and satisfied.
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Several years ago there was rumour that either the ATH hotel extension or a further hotel would have a gambling theme with Merlin wanting to gain extra income from gamblers. However this rumour very quickly died, with Alton Towers having such a family focus it would be hard to pull off. Families wouldnt want the hotel and children couldnt be in the gaming area.
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Further long led speculation is on a 'Downtown Towers' entertainment area with venues such as a cinema, bars, bowling, cinema, restaurants and even a night club.
Hotel guests would have activities much more than exist, but theme park visitors might stay for further meals and entertainment and local people could welcome an entertainment venue.
Its notable that Extraordinary Golf was build in line with the monorail station and (if you follow the line) the parks emergency exit under Airs first drop.
The same area that on the 10 year plan was listed as a 'second entrance' to the park, mainly on my eyes so it could be an exit to the new entertainment area. Also in a morning with a larger influx of guests going onto the park for ERT if it was local to that area it would minimise foot traffic on the main entrance.
--
Ok so FINALLY im getting to my main reason for the topic.
Realistically what should we expect as the next lodging offering from Alton Towers?
We know it will never be 'budget' - it would kill off all the local B&Bs, and other options local to the area so would never get planning permission. Also Alton Towers (and Merlin) love the idea of being a premium product, so we know we can always expect something a little different and highly expensive.
It had been rumoured that if the lodges had been built (and all of ATH refurbished ala the moon rooms) that ATH would become the highest priced hotel with the best rooms and theming, the lodges would be middle with their unique rooms and that Splash Landings would become the cheaper option.
Sadly when the lodge plans hit a halt nothing else happened at ATH either.
--
Big concerns were drawn on the dining / bar area at the lodge plans. It sometimes difficult already to find somewhere to eat as a hotel guest. (Note: Sir Algenons Pizza place in summer holidays for the past 2 summers).
So any further hotel MUST have a large dining area and hopefully bar / entertainment area to keep the additional guests fed, watered and satisfied.
--
Several years ago there was rumour that either the ATH hotel extension or a further hotel would have a gambling theme with Merlin wanting to gain extra income from gamblers. However this rumour very quickly died, with Alton Towers having such a family focus it would be hard to pull off. Families wouldnt want the hotel and children couldnt be in the gaming area.
--
Further long led speculation is on a 'Downtown Towers' entertainment area with venues such as a cinema, bars, bowling, cinema, restaurants and even a night club.
Hotel guests would have activities much more than exist, but theme park visitors might stay for further meals and entertainment and local people could welcome an entertainment venue.
Its notable that Extraordinary Golf was build in line with the monorail station and (if you follow the line) the parks emergency exit under Airs first drop.
The same area that on the 10 year plan was listed as a 'second entrance' to the park, mainly on my eyes so it could be an exit to the new entertainment area. Also in a morning with a larger influx of guests going onto the park for ERT if it was local to that area it would minimise foot traffic on the main entrance.
--
Ok so FINALLY im getting to my main reason for the topic.
Realistically what should we expect as the next lodging offering from Alton Towers?